1. HND AND B.SC DISPARITY I have always wondered why Polytechnics graduates will not be at par with their university graduates even when the policy of the Federal Government seems to favour the B.Sc graduates. The Polytechnics graduates occupied an enviable positions in the economy of Nigeria. You will find them spinning the wheel of progress in our oil and gas industry. They powered the independent power projects of government. The technological emancipation of this country revolves around them. Thousands of them hold the power to the economy of the country.
However,the psychological trauma of the disparity had eroded their personality. It has de robe them of their self esteem to the extent that they could not fight for their right anymore. Some had even gone ahead to acquire B.Sc in addition to their HND hence they don't want to be identified as HND graduates. The fight about disparity in Hnd and B.Sc graduates has taken so long to resolve. It is now time for the Government of Goodluck Jonathan to address this abnormality.
2. NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC COMMISSION Take note of these: National University Commission National Commisison for Colleges of Education National Commision for Mass literacy National Commission for Normadic Education Universal Basic Education Commission National Primary Education Commission............ and for Polytechnics..... National Board for Technical Education Why the disparity? if primary education, normadic and literacy can be granted a commission why not grant the Polytechnic its own commission to grow?
3. CONTISS 15 ARREARS Most of the Government propaganda has been woven around 40 billions owed the junior cadre of polytechnic staff arising from the 2009 agreement the government signed with ASUP but which had not been totally implemented even though the same agreement has been due for renegotiation since 2011 according to the terms of the agreement. ASUP position on this contiss 15 arrears is that its not a new demand. Its an amount Government owed that must be paid. Some public officers had been fully paid; why single-out Polytechnic staff from payment.
4. NEED ASSESSMENT Government is the owner of polytechnic institutions in Nigeria and as a result there is a need to assess and reassess the needs of these institutions in order to inject necessary funds that will makes them operate optimally. Similar exercise had been carried out for university why leaving out Polytechnic?
5. APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNING COUNCILS
It's the responsibility of Government to appoint Governing council members for the institutions. Where this is not the case, decision making process is at the mercy of the parent ministry which is always at a snail speed. Issues of promotions, appointment etc are consequently affected... This is just 5 out of 13 POINTS AGENDA OF POLYTECHNICS.
Only item No. 5 has been met in the past 10 months of Asup strike. Hence, Asup will begin a series of National rallies to sensitize the public and create awareness in Nigerian mind. So, support Asup. Save Nigeria Polytechnics from extinction.
